Archaeological Excavation at Rukhaeogarh, Nalanda (Bihar)

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The book is based on archaeological explorations done in the district-Nalanda, Bihar during 2012-15 by the author. Apart of this a brief report of the excavations carried out at Rukhaegarh, Chandi, Nalanda by the author in 2015-16 is also given fully supported by figures and illustrations. The author has tried to give a brief description of the archaeological expeditions done in the district since 1838 to 2016. Literary and archaeological sources available to know about Nalanda are also mentioned to clear the concept and visualize the historical importance of the place.

Nalanda is not only famous as a religious and historical place but once it was the centre of education ant art. Buddha and Mahavira often visited here. It was the suburnbon of Rajagriha, the ancient capital of Magadha. Nalanda University, the world famous education centre was established here by Kumaragupta I in 5th century CE. Knowledge seekers flocked here from various countries. The place not only attracted Indologists but also Archaeologists and Art Historians too. A number of archaeological investigations were done in the district before and after independence of India but still some mysteries are shrouded which need to be revealed. Two decades ago it was thought that the antiquity of the place goes back to the Buddha's time but recent archaeological expeditions revealed that a number of sites in the district were inhabitated during Chalcolithic period too. Apart from this some Palaeolithic tools were also recovered from Banganga Valley, Rajgir. Pre-historic settlements in the district are still not unearthed. The archaeological importance of Nalanda attracted me to do a village to village survey of the district. Hence from 2012 to 2015 I was engaged in this work and found 78 sites having archaeological importance. Apart from this a hundreds of Buddhist and Brahmanic images were also documented during my survey among them about fifty images are inscribed either on the pedestal or around the halo which is still undeciphered.

First of all I would like to pay my gratitude to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi for the approval of my Major Research Project and financial assistance which enable me to do archaeological explorations at Nalanda and its peripheral area. I would like to extend my thanks to a large number of individuals and institutions that have made my fieldwork possible. I would like to thank Gautam Sengupta, Dr. Rakesh Tewari, Dr.B.R.Mani and Dr. Jitendra Nath of the Archaeological Survey of India for granting the permission to carry out this field research. I am also thankful to the State Archaeology, Bihar for giving No Objection Certificate to my field-work. I acknowledge for the abundant supports given by Prof. Md. Naseem, Ex- Head of the Department of AIHC and Archaeology, BHU and Prof. Sita Ram Dubey, Coordinator, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of AIHC and Archaeology, BHU along with my team member's viz. Prof. R.N.Singh, Mr. Arun Kumar Pandey, Mr. Amit Ranjan and Mr. Pankaj Kumar. Shri Barun Kumar Sinha is worthy of thanks for photography. I also extend my gratitude to Dr. Dheerendra Pratap Singh for helping in many ways. I am highly obliged to the people of Nalanda, the media and the district administration for their kind support during my field-work. I express my gratitude to my wife Mrs. Abha Lama who has taken all the pain and given me full support during field-work and also for writing the book. Lastly, but not least, I would like to thank the Publisher of the book to publish it in time.